As much allure as there is with a draft pick, especially given how much we've discussed the draft on RR for the past couple months, I'd rather have Rudy Gay and the #25 pick (which could possibly be moved up with subsequent trades) than Beal/MKG and a year of wasting $11M on Maggette, even if doing so costs DeRozan (since #8 & Davis & JJ were included in both trades).

I agree.. I'd rather have Gay and #25. Beal/MKG are not a sure thing.. and Gay is a proven commodity. I like the idea of at least having one first rounder as well with that #25 pick.

I agree.. I'd rather have Gay and #25. Beal/MKG are not a sure thing.. and Gay is a proven commodity. I like the idea of at least having one first rounder as well with that #25 pick.

The Raps could even package the #25 pick and their own #37 pick to get a mid-1st round pick. Or even use the #25 pick to swing another trade, who knows. I'd much rather use cap space to acquire Gay than wasting it paying Maggette's $11M salary even for one season, just to move up 7 spots.

Not sure of why trade up to #2? Who is there that you feel the need to give up Davis?

There is no slam dunk even at the #2 pick and unless you have a projected star that you are going to draft it doesn't make sense (MKG and Beal are no better than Lamb or Rivers), unless there is a big (Drummond) that you feel can be a difference maker down the road.

Not sure of why trade up to #2? Who is there that you feel the need to give up Davis?

There is no slam dunk even at the #2 pick and unless you have a projected star that you are going to draft it doesn't make sense (MKG and Beal are no better than Lamb or Rivers), unless there is a big (Drummond) that you feel can be a difference maker down the road.

I think that's exactly the reasoning why most on here seem unwilling to giveup much to move up to the #2 slot. I expect that some team out there will pay handsomely to do so, if the rumors swirling around have any substance to them. I could see Cleveland offering #4 & #24 for #2 (they also have #33 & #34!)

On a related note, I wonder what it would take to get various other 1st round picks, especially if the Raps were to trade away the #8 pick. I'm specifically thinking of Portland (#6 & #11), Golden State (#7 & #30), New Orleans (#10), Houston (#14 & #16) and Boston (#21 & #22). I hope BC has lots of backup batteries for his blackberry!

I think that's exactly the reasoning why most on here seem unwilling to giveup much to move up to the #2 slot. I expect that some team out there will pay handsomely to do so, if the rumors swirling around have any substance to them. I could see Cleveland offering #4 & #24 for #2 (they also have #33 & #34!)

On a related note, I wonder what it would take to get various other 1st round picks, especially if the Raps were to trade away the #8 pick. I'm specifically thinking of Portland (#6 & #11), Golden State (#7 & #30), New Orleans (#10), Houston (#14 & #16) and Boston (#21 & #22). I hope BC has lots of backup batteries for his blackberry!

One thing that Toronto has that Portland, GS, NO, Houston, Boston, Cleveland, Charlotte, and Washington do not have is cap space.

The Raptors can offer some SERIOUS financial flexibility along with a top 10 draft pick. The only other team who can say the same is Sacramento.

One thing that Toronto has that Portland, GS, NO, Houston, Boston, Cleveland, Charlotte, and Washington do not have is cap space.

The Raptors can offer some SERIOUS financial flexibility along with a top 10 draft pick. The only other team who can say the same is Sacramento.

You keep mentioning this Matt, and it doesn't always get a lot of traction with the other readers. but BC has definitely been throwing it out there. Every time he speaks to the media he mentions Toronto's flexibility. Now is he being cute, and doing that with no intention of using the space? Or is he just broadcasting to all and any that TO is ready to be a player in the financial manoeuvring of some cap strapped team?

Now that everybody knows where they are picking, step one is done. Step two is for some teams to fall in love with players they weren't really thinking about before, after watching the individual and group workouts.

I believe BC does something before July 1. I think he also gets who he wants in the draft. Maybe a draft night trade, like the Carter/Antawn trade?

You keep mentioning this Matt, and it doesn't always get a lot of traction with the other readers. but BC has definitely been throwing it out there. Every time he speaks to the media he mentions Toronto's flexibility. Now is he being cute, and doing that with no intention of using the space? Or is he just broadcasting to all and any that TO is ready to be a player in the financial manoeuvring of some cap strapped team?

Now that everybody knows where they are picking, step one is done. Step two is for some teams to fall in love with players they weren't really thinking about before, after watching the individual and group workouts.

I believe BC does something before July 1. I think he also gets who he wants in the draft. Maybe a draft night trade, like the Carter/Antawn trade?

I'm not sure what his plan is but I do hope he does something B-I-G.

The flexibility and 'assets' are great but unless he is going to use it, it is useless. I hope this was not hot air:

Colangelo is not just any general manager though, and we’ve all seen what he can do and is willing to do over the course of one summer when he sees the chance to vastly improve his team. This off-season should be no different.

Perhaps the greatest sign comes from a letter, addressed to season seat holders by Colangelo, in which he thanks seat holders and welcomes them to follow along for “what should be an exciting and active offseason.”

An average off-season to Bryan Colangelo is an active off-season to the average general manager. An “exciting and active” off-season to Colangelo, when you look at some of the off-seasons he’s had here in Toronto, leaves a lot to the imagination of Raptors fans.

If this off-season is not exciting and active then I am going to lose some of that shine I have for Colangelo. I've been upfront with the reality I could be labeled his fanboy so a grain of salt is needed with me. I hope he does not let me down..... lol, just me, no one else.

The flexibility and 'assets' are great but unless he is going to use it, it is useless. I hope this was not hot air:

If this off-season is not exciting and active then I am going to lose some of that shine I have for Colangelo. I've been upfront with the reality I could be labeled his fanboy so a grain of salt is needed with me. I hope he does not let me down..... lol, just me, no one else.

+1

I honestly don't believe that when push comes to shove we will be selecting 8th. I don't necessarily have a problem with picking 8th, because i think Lamb and Waiters are going to be solid, but I think based on what we've heard from the front office, how DC wants vets, I am expecting a move.

I believe that the raps have already targeted the players that they want in the draft, and other current NBA players who they want, and are just putting the packages together to go and get them. If BC does not make a move, it will be because he couldn't make it happen, and I will be really disappointed if he can't.

Charlotte gets some salary off the books, while getting 2 cheap pieces who can start.

Raptors can draft their starting SG (Beal), or SF (MKG) ... and get the other through free agency. Carroll is deep bench shooting, and Ed leaving helps cement Amir's role.

I think the price for the Raps is too high here, but that may be the kind of deal they need.

I would do that but I dont think the price is high enough for the Cats. Maggette is another possibility coming back. Sidebar...ED maybe further attractive because he is a local who also went to school there.

Personally I feel that's putting too much trust into a rookie. People argue DeMar isnt improving enough but he's still solid and we've yet to see Beal or MKG play at the NBA level. Not saying they'll flop or not be as good as DeMar but it's still bit too much to rely on 3/5 starting 5 being rookies(assuming our 8th pick would also start)